Apparatus and method for remote-controlling image sensing apparatus in image sensing system

Abstract

A graphical user interface (GUI) which displays a map image showing the location of a camera whose sensed image is distributed via a network, and further displays a camera icon indicative of the position and states of the camera on the map image. When a user designates an area desired to be sensed on the GUI after the user obtains authorization to control the camera, control values for controlling facing direction and the angle of view of the camera are calculated. The calculated control values are transmitted to a camera server via the network, and the camera server controls the camera on the basis of the control values.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to control method and control apparatus for an image sensing system in which image signals sensed by an image sensing apparatus are distributed to clients via network, and a storage medium storing program codes for realizing the method.[0002]An image transmission system in which media data, such as an image and sound obtained by a video camera on a network, such as the Internet, are transmitted to a plurality of clients via the network has been developed.[0003]On a remote monitoring system in which a camera is connected to a network, panning, tilting, and zooming operation of the camera can be remote-controlled, and an image obtained by the camera is transmitted to and browsed by a plurality of clients via the network is available. Such a system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-42279.[0004]In this type of transmission system, however, since the camera is controlled from a remote location, it i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a method and apparatus for controlling an image sensing apparatus in an image sensing system which enable a client to easily control the image sensing apparatus from a remote location.

[0010]According to the configurations as described above, a current position and image sensing states of a camera are shown by a camera icon in an easily recognizable manner. Furthermore, by directly designating a desired area on a graphical user interface, the direction and zoom value of the camera are easily controlled.

Problems solved by technology

In this type of transmission system, however, since the camera is controlled from a remote location, it is difficult for clients to know where the camera is located and which direction the camera is facing.

Therefore, it is also difficult for the clients to browse desired images quickly.

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